Cooperating container



Aug. 4, 1959 c. E. oss

COOPERATING CONTAINER 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 12, 1953 INVENTOR. CARL E. Foss A TTORNE Y5.

'7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 12, 1953 INVENTOR.

Il'illlll CARL [5. F038 /I TTORNEY$- C. E. FOSS COOPERATING CONTAINER Aug. 4, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 12, 1953 INVENTOR. CARL E. Foss BY @44, w dw ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 4, 1959 c. E. FOSS COOPERATING CONTAINER 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 12, 1953 lNVE/VTOR: CARL E. Foss 27/ wwzfizzq ATTORNE Y6.

Aug. 4, 1959 c. E. FOSS COOPERATING CONTAINER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 12, 1953 I IN V EN TOR.

CARL E. Foss W gaze mg H ra ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 4, 1959 c. E. FOSS COOPERATING CONTAINER 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 12. 1953 iil INVENTOR. CARL E. F 055 97 7 2 7, Mani/Q 4? A TTOR'NEYS.

atent ice Patented Aug. 4, 1959 COOPERATING CONTAINER Carl E. Foss, Roslyn, N .Y. Application August 12, 1953, Serial No. 373,733 16 Claims. (Cl. 2204) This invention relates to containers for liquids, powders and the like and more particularly to containers adapted to be connected one to the other in a manner that will permit the content of one or more cans to be intermixed as for instance different colored paints, a liquid and a powder and other similar materials.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the ap pended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

For the purposes of this application, the invention will be described in connection with its use for paints to facilitate both storage and subsequent mixing of two or more cans thereof before use. While the invention is particu larly applicable to paints and varnishes it will become apparent that it is equally useful for a wide variety of materials that are usually stored in separate containers and mixed just before use. Examples of such other applications may be photographic chemicals, electrolytes for batteries and the like. The invention provides a simple inexpensive container structure that may be made of metal or other rigid material and embodies a structure whereby two or more containers may be coupled together in a manner permitting intermixture of the contents without the danger of spilling the contents of either can.

Intermixture of the contents of separate containers is commonly practiced by the paint dealer but prior structures and procedures employing conventional or stock containers either limit the available variety of colors, require extra empty containers or become wasteful of space and otherwise impractical as attempts are made to increase the number of available colors.

For example: paint intermixture procedures now in common use are usually based on the premise of adding concentrated colorants to a white or other colored base. These additions can only be made in relatively small percentages if the bases are packaged according to proper practice. Only up to about 4% ullage exists in a container properly filled. The most concentrated colorants presently available do make a wide range of colors possible by admixture of up to 4% toner to a base but an equally great number of commercially important colors are beyond the scope of this admixture method.

If a white base or other base container is short filled to provide greater ullage, in amounts increasing up to 50%, the additive colorants must increase accordingly in volume and no longer have the convenient feature of small proportional size. Moreover this kind of attempt to increase the color range available by admixture is wasteful of storage space and also wasteful of the containers for the paint used to equal the ullage in the principal container and subsequently mixed therein. Furthermore as the ullage in a paint container increase beyond the small and proper percentage certain deleterious chemical and/or physical action often takes place and is directly attributable to the unfilled space.

Indeed, additions up to 50% to a paint are often necessary regardless of concentration of toners or the bases to adequately cover the color requirements of the consinner and since this cannot be achieved by the small percentage additive method or is impractical, inconvenient or wasteful of storage space or containers by the large percentage additive method to the large ullage container, one of the objects of this invention will become evident.

By use of this invention, two or more stock fractions totalling to the volume of paint required by a consumer are quickly combined into a composite container to produce the desired color within the high order color producing potential of this procedure. Since each stock fraction has many possible combination uses in the convenient form of these novel containers, many beneficial ends can be attained.

Prior structures involving compartmented cans were generally limited to specific purpose applications or involved expensive and complicated designs too costly for general use in packaging and sale of paints and similar products. Moreover none of these structures, to my knowledge, provide any satisfactory means for effecting thorough intermixture of the contents of several cans or containers prior to use or the attainment of these ends through the simple, eifective and inexpensive structures in accordance with this invention.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of containers that may be hermetically sealed and which may be simply and easily coupled with another can whereby the two or more containers are automatically opened one into the others. In addition an etfective seal is provided between the cans so that the mixed resulting product can be stored for extended periods.

'Still another object of the invention is the provision of containers for paints and other materials that may be opened or coupled together for intermixing of the contents without the need for special tools or instruments of any kind. The structure is not only simple and inexpensive but also substantially fool proof so that inexperienced persons can couple cans one to the other with no danger of upsetting the contents. Still another object of the invention resides in the use of transparent or translucent diaphragms for sealing the containers so that the contents of the cans being mixed can be readily inspected to determine whether or not a thorough blending has been attained.

The above and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and illustrating several embodiments of the invention and which together with the description will serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings: i

Fig. 1 is an exploded cross sectional view in side elevation of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the assembly of several of the elements thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation in partial section of two containers as shown in Fig. I joined together to effect mixture of the contents thereof;

Fig. 4 is an exploded cross sectional veiw of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the embodiment of Fig. 4 showing the assembly of several 7 Fig. 7 is a modified form of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate further modifications of the embodiment of the invention of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 10 is a modified form of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 4, and 6;

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of still another embodiment of the invention;

Fig.12 is a cross sectional view of a coupler for containers of the form shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation in partial section snowing the attachment of two containers of Fig. 11 by means of the coupler of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a modification of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of still another modification of the invention;

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view of a coupler for two containers as illustrated in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation'in section of two containers of the form shown in Fig. 15 formed by the coupler shown in Fig. 16; and

Figs. 18 to 22 are partial side elevations in cross section of still other embodimentsof the invention.

The containers in accordance with the invention provide highly effective, inexpensive structures, that facilitate the coupling or connection of two or more cans or containers in a way that will open each of the joined containers one into the other so that the contents of both cans can be intermixed. This is accomplished by means whereby the contents of each container are not actually mixed until the cans are coupled thus avoiding the danger of spilling the contents of either can. Moreover with this invention two containers can be coupled without exposing the contents of either to the atmosphere before they are actually intermixed.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded view of certain elements of the container, Fig. 2 shows the assembly of the exploded elements of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 shows the joinder of two containers. The body of the container as shown in these figures comprises a cylindrical body part 11 that may be of any desired length and diameter, a threaded male part or top 12 and a threaded female bottom part 13. The top and bottom parts 12 and 13 are joined to the body 11 by folded lap joints 14 and 15 that are preferably sealed by solder, cement or other similar material if the container is intended for holding liquids such as paints, varnishes and the like. These lap joints are shown in greatly enlarged form for the purposes of this application and while they form a sturdy and secure joinder of the elements, it is to be understood that other types of joints may also be used with equal effectiveness. In this embodiment of the invention, while the top and bottom parts 12 and 13 are of course circular, the body 11 may be of most any shape that is, circular, oval, rectangular, etc. as may be desired.

The female bottom part 13 extends within the body 11 and is terminated in a flat inwardly formed flange 16 having a depending skirt 17 formed on its inner periphery. Thls skirt 17 is formed with V shaped projections or teeth 18 or other similar means effective to puncture a sealing membrane preferably of transparent material, when two cans are jolned one to the other. The bottom of the can or container 10 is sealed by a threaded plug 19 in the shape of a cup. This plug is formed with an annular depression or channel 20 in the bottom part 21 to accommodate the teeth 13 and a raised annular shoulder 22 to cooperate with the flanged part 16 of the bottom 13. A piece of sealing or gasket material 23 is cemented or otherwise secured to the flange part 16 for cooperation with the annular shoulder 22 to hermetically seal the bottom of the container. If desired a suitable expansion wrench or cross bar arrangement may be employed to facilltate insertion and removal of the plug 19. I

The top part 12 of the can 10 is formed with a pair of concentric annular shoulders 24 and 26 separated by an annular depression 25. As will be shown, the shoulder 24 functions to seal the can while the depression 25 and shoulder 26 cooperate wit. the teeth 18 of another can to rupture a sealing diaphragm when two cans are joined. The sealing diaphragm 27, preferably of transparent material, is illustrated above the top part 12. The top of the can is sealed by a pair of caps 28 and 2% spaced above the diaphragm 27 in Fig. 1. The cap 28 is generally cylindrical having threads 28 and an inwardly extending reinforced flange 30. This flange 3t} cooperates with the diaphragm or membrane 27 and the annular shoulder 24 of the top 12 to seal the can as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. The membrane 27 is preferably made large enough in diameter to extend at least part way down between the top 12 and cap 28 to further improve the seal and avoid the need for close tolerances on the fabrication of the coacting parts. The membrane 27 is protected by an outer cap 29 having a plate 31 integrally formed with the side wall thereof and an annular shoulder 32. An annular seal 33 of any suitable material is disposed on the under side of the shoulder 32 and cooperates with the outer surface of the flange 30 of the cap 28 to further seal the container. In this way an effective, dependable seal is attained that will not be damaged in ordinary shipment.

The container as described above may be made of metal, plastic or any other type of formable material that would be appropriate for the purpose intended. lf desired the inner cap and diaphragm 27 may be combined as a single unit and may be formed of a contractible plastic that will shrink as it ages and tighten about the top part 12 to form a more perfect seal. In this case the protective cap 29 should have corresponding dimensions.

Fig. 3 shows the interconnection of the container 10 of Figs. 1 and 2 with a second container 10a of similar construction to effect intermixture of the contents. The container 10 is shown in an inverted position with the caps 2% and 29 and the diaphragm 27 in place to seal the end thereof. The plug 19 however has been removed to open the bottom of the container and expose the V shaped teeth 18. The container 10a has its plug 19a in place but its outer cap 29a has been removed to expose the diaphragm 27a and the cap 28a. The outer diameter of the cap 28a is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the female bottom part 13 so that two containers can be coupled by threadably engaging the cap 28a of one container with the bottom part 13 of another container. Here the cap 23a in place on the container 10a is shown engaged with the bottom part 13 of container 10. However inasmuch. as the cap 28a and diaphragm 27a are in place on container 1%, the container remains sealed so that it can be safely inverted. As the two containersare coupled, the teeth 18 of container 10 enter the annular recess 25a in top 12:: of container 1% and in so doing. sever the diaphragm 27a to effect communication between the two containers. The diaphragm is completely severed by reason of the rotation of one container relative to the other. In addition the flange 30a of cap 280 seats against the seal 23 of container 10 to completely seal the containers one to the other. The assembled containers now form essentially a unitary container and may be shaken or vibrated in any desirable manner to completely intermix the contents of the cans.

The combined containers may be opened for use by removing plug 19a or preferably inverted so that cap 29 may be removed presenting the diaphragm 27 which when clear and colorless permits inspection of the mixed contents while sealed. Further mixing may be indicated and cap 29 replaced until this is done. If mixture is satisfactory diaphragm 29 may be cut by hand or completely removed by removing ring 28 as well as diaphragm 27. If container is to be rescaled ring 28 should be kept in place to receive cap 29. The cut diaphragm 27a which is insoluble in the contents of the containers may be ignored or fished out as desired.

with an annular recess 58 of U-shaped section.

A modified embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 which differs from the previously described form of the invention in that the several members are frictionally rather than threadably coupled. In this embodiment the container 40 comprises a body part 4i and top and bottom members 42 and 43 respectively that may be coupled or sealed to the body by folded lap joints 44 and 45 shown in greatly enlarged form. The top member 42 includes an annular recess 46, an annular shoulder 47 concentric with the recess 46 and an inwardly extending horizontal flange 48 substantially in the plane of the recess 46. The flange 48 is relatively narrow and defines the central opening 49. This opening is sealed by an annular cap 51 of U-shaped across section and a diaphragm 50 of plastic or other similar material. The dimensions of the cap 51 are of course coordinated with those of the top member 42 so that a tight pressure fit will be secured as illustrated in Fig. 5. A pressure seal is efiected by the cooperation of the rolled internal flange 53 of cap 51 with the diaphragm 50 and the flange 48 of the top member 42. Further sealing is attained by the extension of the diaphragm 50 between the shoulder 47 and the recess 54 of the cap 51. The exposed area of the diaphragm 50 is protected by the outer cap 52 having an annular recessed part 54 adapted to cooperate with the inner cap 51. The bottom .55 of cap 52 overlies the diaphragm 50 and has an annular curved recess 56 and gasket 57 which cooperate with the rolled flange 53 of cap 51 to further seal the container and prevent the deposition of dirt and dust on the diaphragm 50.

The bottom part 43 of the container 40 is provided The inner annular wall 59 of this recess is curved slightly inwardly at 60 and terminates in a plurality of V-shaped projections or teeth 61 extending slightly beyond the bottom edge of the container body 41. The bottom is closed by a cap 62 having an annular shoulder 63 which cooperates with the gasket 64 and recess 58 to hermetically seal the container and a small depresison 65 in the bottom 66 to accommodate the teeth 61. In order to facilitate stacking of cans or containers the bottom 43 and closure cap 62 may be recessed in the bottom of the body 41 or coordinated with the top cap 52 so that the cans rest one on the other.

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which the container 40 can be coupled with a second container 40a to attain the ends of the invention. The container 40 is inverted and the bottom closure cap 62 is removed to expose the V-shaped projections 61. Next the second container 40a with its top outer cap removed is inverted and the cap 51a is forced into recess 58 of the bottom 43. The projections 61 of can 40 pass upwardly through the diaphragm 50a and in close proximity to the inner periphery of the flanges 53a and 48a between which the diaphragm 50a is held. This severs or ruptures the diaphragm to permit intermixture of the contents of the containers and at the same time a complete seal between the containers is obtained. In order to facilitate removal of the caps 52 and 62 they may be provided with flanged parts 52' and 62 respectively to receive a suitable prying tool such as a screwdriver or the like.

In certain cases it may be desirable to provide a modified version of the container of Fig. l in order to prevent for instance reuse of the container. Such a modification is shown in Fig. 7. Here the body 11 of the container is provided with a member 67 corresponding to the cap 28 of Fig. 1 that is permanently secured to the body as indicated at 68. Within the cap 67 is a closure cap 69 which corresponds substantially with the top 12 of Fig. 1. A diaphragm 70 is secured between the threaded members or caps 67 and 69 to seal the can. The diaphragm is protected by an outer cap 71 and seal 72 corresponding to the cap 29 and seal 32 of Fig. 1. The ring 69 and diaphragm 70 must be installed before member 67 is sealed to body 11 or before the bottom 13 of the container is secured in place, thereby making it possible to reuse the container once the diaphragm 70 is broken.

A further modification of the embodiment of Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 8 wherein the top and bottom elements are in effect reversed. In this form of the invention the body 11 of the container 10R has a top part 73 secured to the body as shown at 74 and provided with upwardly extending V-shaped projections 75. This end of the container is closed by an encompassing cap 76 threadably attached to the top part 73 which may be provided with a recess 77 to receive the projections 75. If desired a gasket of suitable size and shape may be inserted between the top 73 and cap 76 to further seal the container.- The bottom of the modified container of Fig. 8 corresponds generally with the top of the form shown in Fig. l and includes a female threaded member 78 secured about the periphery of the body 11. This female member terminates within the body 11 in an annular recess 79 to receive projections 75 of a second container that may be coupled thereto. The opening 80 defined by the recessed part 79 is closed and sealed by a ring 81 and diaphragm 82 with the diaphragm extending at least partially between the cooperating threads on the two members. The diaphragm is protected by a plug 83 threadably engaging the ring 82 and having a base part 84 lying flatly against the diaphragm 82. With this arrangement the containers to be coupled need not be inverted as the top cap 76 of one container is removed along with the bottom plug 83 of a second container. The two containers are then screwed together to rupture the diaphragm 82 and seal the two cans one to the other. If desired the elements 78, 81 and 83 of the bottom of the container of Fig. 8 may be interposed as shown in Fig. 9. In this form of the invention the ring 81 is permanently secured to the body 11 of container 10R as in the case of the bottom part 78 of Fig. 8. The diaphragm 82 is clamped in place by the cap 78 before member 81' is sealed to body 11. Then the bottom is completely closed by the plug 83 which is identical to the plug 83 of Fig. 8. The embodiment of this figure along with that of Fig. 7 also prevents disassembly beyond what is necessary to connect container, as well as accidental removal of the diaphragm holding cap or plug and thus avoids accidental spilling of the contents of a container when two are to be connected.

Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 10 and employs frictiontype closure parts. The top of the body 85 is closed by an anular top member 86 secured at 87 to the body 85. This member has a curved annular recess 88 terminating in a flanged part 89 which defines the central opening 90. Opening 90 is in turn closed by an annular cap 91 and diaphragm 92 with the diaphragm being held between the annular shoulder '93 of cap 91 and the recessed part 88 of the member 86 as well as between the cooperating flanges 89 and 94. The diaphragm is protected by an outer cap 95 having an annular recess 96 engaging the inner surface of shoulder 93. This outer cap is sealed to the cap 91 by a gasket 97 contained within the annular recess 98 and cooperating withthe flange 94 of cap 91.

The bottom 99 and cooperating elements are formed somewhat similarly to the top closure and is adapted to cooperate with the top of another container to efiect the desired coupling feature. Member 99 is permanently secured about its periphery to the wall 85 as shown at 100 and has a pair of annular recesses 101 and 102 and an intelvening shoulder 103. The inner peripheral wall of the recess 102 extends downwardly and is formed in V shape projections 104 surrounding the central opening 105. A protective cap 106 is used to cover the projections 104. This cap has an annular recess 107 to cooperate with and tightly fit the shoulder 103, and annular shoulder 108 cooperating with the recess 102 of I) member 99 and gasket 109 to effect a seal and an inner shoulder 110 adaptedto surround, at least partially, the projections 104. The opening 105 is finally closed by the outer cap 111 which includes a peripheral recess 112 for engaging the shoulder 107 of cap 106 and an inner annular recess 113 that cooperates with a gasket 114 and the part 110 of cap 106 to hermetically seal this end of the container. Two containers of this form may be secured together by removing the top cap 95 of one container and the bottom caps 106 and 111 of a second container in in inverted position. The two can then be forced together to seal one to the other and simultaneously sever the intervening diaphragm. The combined containers can be opened for use of either end. Member 111 above need be removed from its end leaving member 106 to cover the projections 104. If the other end of the combined containers is to be used, member 95 is removed and the diaphragm 92 cut by hand or removed entirely by removing its retaining ring 91.

Fig. 11 shows a still further modification of the invention wherein both the top and bottom closure parts are identical. In this figure therefore like numbers have been used to denote like components of the top and bottom closures and only the top closure will be described. The container is generally denoted by the numeral 115 and has a body 116. The ends of the body are each fitted with an outwardly extending cylindrical member 117 permanently fastened to the body at 118 and terminating in a double inverted end part to form an annular shoulder 119 and recess 120, the latter defining the central opening 121. The opening 121 is closed by a diaphragm 122 held in place by a surrounding threaded collar 123 having a rolled top edge 124. This top edge wedges the diaphragm 122 between it and the shoulder 119 to seal the container. The diaphragm 122 is protected by a threaded outer cap 125 which engages the collar 123 and includes an annular recess 126 and gasket 127 for cooperation with the rolled end 124 of collar 123. This arrangement insures an elfective seal as well as aifording mechanical protection for the diaphragm. 7

Two containers as shown in Fig. 11 may be coupled by means of a cooperating coupling unit illustrated in Fig. 12. This coupler comprises a body 128 and a pair of identical threaded inserts or caps 129' and 138 placed back to back within the body 128 and permanently secured thereto by lap joints 131 and 132. Each insert is reversely formed at its inner end to form a plurality of V shaped projections 133 and an annular recessed part 134 containing a sealing compound or gasket 135. These recessed parts meet and are preferably though not necessarily sealed along the line 136. To join two containers 115 by means of this coupler 128, an end cap 125 is removed from each container to expose the diaphragm 122. The containers are threadably inserted into each side of the coupling whereupon the two sets of projections 133 function to rupture and completely sever their respective diaphragms. This procedure is illustrated in Fig. 13 which shows two containers 115 and 115a con nected by the coupler 128. In this view, the diaphragms 122 and 122a have already been severed by the projections 133 and the two containers are sealed one to the other to form a single unit. The container 115 is illustrated herein with the cap 125 removed from the top or outer end thereof and the diaphragm 122 has been severed by a knife or other instrument to gain access to the containers. A similar procedure is used in connection with each of the foregoing embodiments of the invention if the diaphragm side of the container is to be opened.

While in the case of large cans or containers such as 115 of Fig. 11, a body part 116 is interposed between the threaded end parts 117, in the case of smaller cans the body may consist of a cylindrical threaded member 137 which performs the same function as the end parts 117 of Fig. 11. A coupler identical to that shown in Fig. 12

may be used to join the smaller container stnucture of Fig. 14.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 15 is along the lines of the embodiment of Fig. 11 except that it uses a-friction type closure. This structure is generally denoted by the numeral 138 and consists of a body 139 and end parts 140 that are identical one to the other. These en'd parts are secured to the body at 141 and each is provided with an annular recess 142 and a reversely formed shoulder 143 defining a central opening 144. The openings 144 are closed by diaphragms 145 and annular collars 146 of U shaped section adapted to cooperate with the recesses 142. A good seal is insured by providing the collars 146 with an inwardly extending rolled edge flange 147 which functions with the shoulder 143 to wedge the diaphragm there between. The exposed area of each diaphragm is protected by an outer cap 148 formed with a central part 149 adapted to lie flat against the diaphragm and a shoulder part 150 for frictionally engaging the collar 146. The collar 146 and cap 148 are each provided with outwardly extending flanges 151 and 152 respectively so that a wedging tool can be inserted between them to remove cap 148 without disturbing the collar 146.

A pair of containers 138 may be coupled by means of a coupler 153 as shown in Fig. 16. This coupler comprises two substantially identical parts 154 and 155 secured back to back along a central peripheral line and denoted by the numeral 156. Each of these parts include an annular shoulder 157 and a set of concentric projections 158 for rupturing the diaphragms 145. To connect two containers, the cover 148 is removed from one end of each container 138 to expose the diaphragms. The coupler 153 is then interposed between the ends of the containers and they are then wedged together. This action seals the containers one to the other and simultaneously causes the projections 158 to rupture and sever their respective diaphragms to permit the contents to become intermixed. This procedure is shown more clearly in Fig. 17 wherein the joined containers are denoted by the numerals 138 and 13811. The coupler 153 between the containers has sealed them together and r uptured the diaphragms 145 and 145a. After the contents have been thoroughly intermixed, the containers can be opened by removing one end cap 145 as indicated on the top side of container 138 of Fig. 17 and then severing the diaphragm 145' in any suitable manner.

The embodiments of the invention shown in Figs. 18 to 22 inclusive illustrate its application to containers wherein one end thereof is closed in a manner similar to conventional paint cans. Fig. 18, for instance, shows a container of the type illustrated in Fig. 11 coupled to a can 160 having a cylindrical wall 161, a fixed bottom 162 and a threaded ring 163 secured to the body 161 by a suitable folded lap joint 164. The ring 163 would be normally fitted with a closure cap such as a cap 125 of Fig. 11 to seal the can. A structure of this type may be coupled to the container 115 by a coupler such as coupler 128 previously described and shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. Fig. 19 is along the lines of Fig. 18 but shows the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 coupled to the can 160 by the coupler 128 of Fig. 12. The embodiment of Fig. 20 demonstrates the manner in which the container of Fig. 8 may be directly coupled to the can 160 without the use of a separate coupler. In this case a cutter ring 165 having cutting means 166 about its outer peripheral edge is threadably attached to the ring part 163 of can 160. The cap 83 of container 10R (see Fig. 8) is then removed and the two containers are joined by threadably engaging the ring 165 with the ring 81 of container 10R.

In certain instances it may be desirable to provide a diaphragm closure for can 160 along the lines discussed in connection with prior figures. In this case a diaphragm retaining ring 167 and diaphragm 168 may be installed on the ring 163 as illustrated in Fig. 21 to close the open end. With this arrangement the can 160 may be coupled with a container such as that shown in Fig. 8 with the aid of a simple coupling means 169. This coupler merely comprises a cylindrical body 170 and internal threaded members'171 and 172 fastened to the ends of the body and extending inwardly thereof. If desired, this coupler may be further simplified by eliminating the body 170 and forming the threaded parts 171 and 172 in one piece and of suflficiently heavy gauge metal to provide firm support to the containers being coupled. The container 10R with the cap 76 removed is threaded into one end of the coupler while the can 160 is threaded into the other end. Severing of the diaphragm 168 is accomplished by the cutting means 75 of the container 10R thus avoiding the need for cutting means in the coupler itself. The can 160 with its diaphragm 168 and diaphragm retaining ring 167 may also be coupled directly to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, merely by inverting the container 10 and removing the sealing plug 19. This procedure is illustrated in Fig. 22 and in this can the cutting means 18 of container 10 functions to sever the diaphragm 168.

As previously pointed out these containers may be fabricated of any suitable material and in any desirable form. The projections while shown as V shaped may of course be of any structure that will attain the end of rupturing the intervening diaphragm or diaphragms as described. In addition fastening means other than the screw or friction types for securing two or more containers together may be employed as for instance a bayonet fastening structure embodying two or more pins and cooperating slots. Still other changes, modifications and alterations of the illustrated embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising a body, a male connector part having a central opening therein secured to one end of said body, a female connector part having a central opening secured to the other end of said body, said male connector having a size and shape to connect with the female connector of another identical container and said female connector having a size and shape to connect with the male connector of another identical container, a rupturable diaphragm closing the opening in one of said connector parts, diaphragm rupturing means surrounding the opening in the other of said connector parts and removable cover means engaging at least one of said connector parts whereby removal of said closure means from the connector parts on said container will permit the coupling of said container and another similar container with said diaphragm rupturing means being responsive to the coupling of said containers to substantially sever the entire diaphragm of the other of said coupled containers.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said male connector part is closed by said diaphragm and said diaphragm rupturing means surrounds the opening in said female connector part.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein said female connector part is closed by said diaphragm and said diaphragm rupturing means surrounds the opening in said male connector part.

4. A container according to claim 1 wherein said male and female connector parts threadably engage said closure means and cooperating connector parts of said other container.

5. A container according to claim 1 wherein said male and female connector partsfrictionally engage said closure means and cooperating connector parts of said other container.

6. A container comprising a body, a male connector having a central opening secured to one end of said body,

10 a thread formed in the body of said connector, a diaphragm and diaphragm attaching means having a threaded portion engaging the thread on said connector for closing said opening, a female connector part having a central opening secured to the other end of said body, a thread formed in the body of said female connector, said male connector having a size and shape to connect with the female connector of another identical container and said female connector having a size and shape to connect with the male connector of another identical container, diaphragm rupturing means surrounding the opening of the last said connector, a removable protective closure at least partially enclosing said male connector and a plug having an external threaded portion of the same size and contour as the external surface of the threaded portion of the diaphragm attaching means sealing the opening in said female connector whereby said container may be coupled to other similar containers upon removal of said protective closures with the diaphragm rupturing means of one container rupturing the diaphragm of the other container to form said containers into a single substantially unitary structure.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein said diaphragm attaching means surrounds said male connector and said protective closure is threadably secured to said attaching ring. Y

8. A container according to claim 6 wherein said diaphagm attaching means threadably engages inside of said male connector and said protective closure engages the outer side thereof.

9. A container comprising a body, a male connector having a central opening secured to one end of said body, a thread formed in the body of said connector, diaphragm rupturing means on said connector and surrounding the opening therein, a female connector having a central opening secured to the other end of said body, a thread formed in the body of the last said connector, a diaphragm and threaded diaphragm attaching means for closing the opening in said female connector, said male connector having a size and shape to connect with the female connector of another identical container and said female connector having a size and shape to connect with the male connector of another identical container, a removable cap at least partially enclosing said male connector to seal the opening therein and a plug engaging said female connector to protect the diaphragm and seal the opening therein whereby removal of a cap from one container and a plug from another similar container will permit coupling of said containers with the diaphragm rupturing means of one container severing the diaphragm of the other container.

10. A container according to claim 9 wherein said attaching means engages the inside of said female connector and said plug engages said attaching means.

11. A container comprising a body, a male connector having a central opening secured to one end of the body, an annular shoulder on said connector, a diaphragm for closing said opening, a ring of generally U shaped section for frictionally engaging said diaphragm and said annular shoulder to seal the diaphragm over said opening, a female connector part having a central opening secured to the other end of said body, an annular channel in the last said connector part, diaphragm rupturing means surrounding the opening in said female connector part, said male connector having a size and shape to connect with the female connector of another identical container and said female connector having a size and shape to connect with the male connector of another identical container, a closure cap having an annular recess for frictionally engaging said ring and a second closure cap having an annular shoulder for frictionally engaging the channel in said female connector to seal the opening therein, said frictional engaging elements of said connectors being proportioned so that the outer surface of the ring of one container will frictionally engage the channel in the female connector of another container with 12. A container comprising a body, a female'connector having a central opening secured to one end of the body, an annular channel in said connector, a diaphragm for closing said opening, a ring of generally U shaped section for frictionally engaging said diaphragm "and'an'nular channel to seal the diaphragm over said opening, a male connector having a central opening secured to the other end of said body, an annular shoul der on said connector, diaphragm rupturing means surrounding the last said opening, said male connector having a size and shape to connect with the female connector 'of another identical container and said female' connector having a size and shape to connect with the male connector of another identical container, a cap having an annular recess for frictionally engaging the channel in said female connector and means for frictionally engaging the shoulder on said male connector to seal the opening therein whereby removal of the frictional sealing means from the male connector of one container and a cap from the female connector of another container will permit engagement of said containers with the diaphragm rupturing means of one container severing the diaphragm of the other container.

'13.A connector according to claim 12 wherein said last means comprises a ring having a channel for-frictionally engaging said shoulder on the male connector and a second channel at least partially enclosing said diaphragm rupturing means and a closure cap having an annular recess for frictionally engaging said ring.

' 14. A container comprising a body, a male connector part 'having a central opening therein secured to one end of said body, a female connector part having a central opening secured to the other'end of said body, said male connector having a size and shape to connect with the female connector of another identical container and said female connector having a size and shape to connect with the male connector of another identical container, a readily removable diaphragm closing the opening in one of said connector parts, diaphragm removing means adjoining the edge of the opening in the other of' said connector parts and removable cover means engaging at least one of said connector parts whereby removal of said closure means from the connector parts on said container will permit the coupling of said container and another similar container with said diaphragm removing means being responsive to the coupling of said containers to substantially remove the entire diaphragm of the other of said coupled containers and open said containers one into the other.

15. A container comprising a body, a male connector part having a central opening therein secured to one end of said body, a female connector part having a central opening secured to the other end of said body, said 'male connector having a size and shape to connect with the female connector'of another identical container and said female connector having a size and shape to connect with the male connector of another identical container, a rupturable diaphragm closing the opening in one of said connector parts, diaphragm rupturing means surrounding the opening in the other of said connector parts whereby removal of said closure means from the connector parts on said container will permit the coupling of said container and another similar container with the diaphragm rupturing means of one of said containers functioning to substantially sever the entire diaphragm of the other of'said coupled containers, said diaphragm rupturing means being in the form of a circular member having a plurality of diaphragm piercing and securing members to engage and sever the diaphragm automatically upon engagement of said containers one with the other.

16. A container comprising a body, a male connector part having a central opening therein secured to one end of said body, a female connector part having a central opening secured to the other end of said body, said male and female connector parts having mating configurations and sizes and shapes to mate with the female and male connector parts respectively of other similar containers, a rupturable diaphragm closing the opening in one of said connector parts, diaphragm rupturing means surrounding the opening in the other of said connector parts and removable cover means engaging at least one of said connector parts whereby removal of said closure means from-the connector parts on said container will permit the coupling of said container and another similar container with the diaphragm rupturing means of one of said containers functioning to substantially sever the entire diaphragm of the other of said coupled containers, said one connector further having a pair of spaced, concentric diaphragm supporting means, and said diaphragm rupturing means enters the space between said supporting means to sever the diaphragm upon engagement of said connectors one with the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 475,231 Anderson May 17, 1892 616,740 Sloan et a1. Dec. 27, 1898 799,821 Young Sept. 19, 1905 853,497 Carnes May 14, 1907 941,303 Borden Nov. 23, 1909 1,031,867 Peebles July 9, 1912 1,731,847 Eckart Oct. 15, 1929 1,779,132 Kelling Oct. 21, 1930 2,084,973 John June 22, 1937 2,091,877 ONeil Aug. 31, 1937 2,489,620 Cartwright Nov. 29, 1949 2,528,530 Machleder Nov. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 786,947 France June 24, 1935 803,118 France June 29, 1936 863,315 Germany Jan. 15, 1953 303,806 Great Britain Jan. 2, 1930 

